WILLITS, 9/6/18 -- Very early yesterday morning a man 35 year old man was shot in the chest at the Patriot Gas Mart on the north end of Willits. The victim was flown to a trauma center, and, though his specific condition is unknown, it is believed that he's alive.

Then this morning, Gabe John Smith, 44, a resident of the area, who has known Sheriff Tom Allman for two decades, contacted the sheriff and turned himself in for the shooting. The two apparently met in Willits, and Sheriff Allman himself then transported Smith to the county jail. Smith was booked on a charge of attempted murder, with a quarter million dollar bail.

The reason or motivation for the shooting is unclear, and has not been released to the public, nor has the name of the victim. Police have said that the gas station was closed, and that the incident did not involved the gas station. They have also acknowledge that both men are locals.

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Smith was booked on the single charge of attempted murder, there were no other charges listed in the booking log.

We'll continue to update as we get more info. Here's the initial story from yesterday:

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Here is the press release from the WPD:

Willits PD press release concerning an attempted murder.

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Maybe this will send a strong message to folks who think they can just attack people : some people are armee and ready to defend themselves. Think twice whenever you are thinking of attackimg someone as you may just get shot in the gut like this “victim” whi was trying to attack Gabe. Good Job Gabe, we all have the right to protect ourselves against assailants, I believe Gabe will walk one the investigation shows this is self defence, just review the Gas Station Cameras.

I’ve known Gabe for decades as a partner, roommate and friend . Maybe he struts his shit around; yes, he can be a jackass, but that doesn’t make him a cold blooded murderer. He’s a die hard, for sure. He’s protective, for sure. He’s loyal and honest, to be clear. When this woman asked him for help, he answered. Let’s keep in mind the character of the man he was protecting her from.

yah, Typical Gabe style. Go steal someones girlfriend and start a bunch of shit he cant handle. What a total dueche bag. Some ppl are just born worthless. Like the other guy said……lock him up and throw away the key. Good Ridance to the garbage.

He has been sleeping with her for at least 10 years .. I don’t know, it was the middle of the night why wasn’t Gabe home with his family?
Why was he playing a “Hero” ?? Out cheating and they got caught by her violent pos tweeker bf..You mess with shit, you get it on you.
The dope fiends have been in and out of court for years..gross.

May God Bless & watch over ALL parties involved! I know Gabe, not perfect but who of us raised in Mendo the old school way is? Maybe not on this level, but this is not the first time something like this has happened probably not the last either, unfortuneately. Wiggy wiggy wiggy! Shame on those who are being negative trash talkers. Gabe is Gabe; when u love someone, u love them 4 all they r and all they r not…. Clearly it is not ok to shoot a person, however, whatever transpired that led to the incident …..was not ok either otherwise I wouldn’t be leaving this comment! I have seen Gabe be helpful to folks, all shapes & sizes, friends & strangers too. I have known him to own up go and do what he could to make his wrongs right more often than not. So I personally am going to pray that God keeps his loving hands on all those involved, in the name of r Savior, Jesus Christ I ask this, Amen.

Reading this newspaper is better than any dime store novel that’s for sure. Isn’t libel, slanger and defamation of character sueable loudmouth offenses?? Meth is loves poison arrow, except most meth users lost their heart along time ago.